Steering-wheel for automobiles.



J. J. SLEPI GKA. STEERING WHEEL FOR. AUTOMOBILES.

AIPIYLIGATIDN FILED APR. 8; 1908. RENEWED JAN. 25, 1911.

1 990,91 5 Patented May 2,1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I""II'IIIIIIIIE attqunqo J. J. SLEEIGKA. STEERING WHEEL FOR AUTOMOBILES. AP QLIOATIOH TILED APR.8, 190B. RENEWED JAN. 28, 1911.

- Patented May 2,1911.

3 sums-sum a.

, Application filed April 8, 1908, Serial No. 425,939. Renewed January JOHN SLEPICKA, OF INDIANA HARBOR, INDI QNA.

TEERING-WHEEL FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2, 19.1.1. 28, 1911. Serial No. 605,292.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, JOHN J. SLEPICKA, a subject of the Emperor of AustriaHunga-ry, residing at Indiana Harbor, in the county of Lake and State of Indiana, haveinvented a new and useful SteeringJVheel for Automobiles, of which the following is a speci- This invention. relates to steering wheels for automobiles and similar vehicles.

It is a well known fact that steering wheels of ordinaryconstruction greatly i terfere with the movements of the chauffeur in entering or leaving the machine because thei'wheels are carried ordinarily at the upper ends of inclined shafts. The ordinary steering wheels are also objectionable be cause when a machine is left Without an attendant unauthorized persons can enter the machine and guide it without any great diificulty. I

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a. shaft for the steering wheel which is capable of being swung into an up right position when not in use so as to offer no obstruction to the movements of persons occupying the front seat of the machine.

Another object is to provide a combination lock for fastening the shiftable section of thesh aft when in lIlOPOIEltlVG position so that it can not be lowered for the purpose of steering the machine except by some person acxpiaintcd with the combination of the loch.

Another object is to provide a lock of this character with which an alarm is combined so that unless the n'rcchanisni of the lock is properly actuated the alarm will be sounded and thus due warning given of the fact.

lVith these and other objects in view the lIlVLl'llllfHl consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter more fully de scribed and pointed out in the claims.

In the accon'lpanying drawings is shown the preferred forin of the invention.

In said drawings: l igure 1 is a side elevation of a steering shaft cml'iodying the present improvrmients, the movable section of the shaft being shown by dotted lines in Fig.

cap or plate l l 1 l l l l l l aised or inoperative position. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the connections bet lween the shaft men'ibers, the parts being shown in the position assumed by them when the shiftable section is in raised position. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the two shaft sections in alinement. Fig. 4 is an enlarged section. on line A B,

3 and showing the alarm and diagram. Fig. 5 is an enlarged section on line CD, Flg. 2. Fig. 6 is a section on line EF, Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation of the connection between the shaft members, the shield being shown in section. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the top member or hood of the connection. Fig. 9 isan enlarged section through the contacts and a portion of the circuit'closer of the alarm mechanism. Fig. 10 is an end elevation of thecircui't closer.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates the lower section of the steering shaft or pillar, the upper end of which is disposed preferably close to the rear end of the hood A of the machine. 5ccured to the upper end of this section 1 is a. 2 preferably rectangular in general outline and having an upstanding flange 3 along one edge which is notched for engagement with locking means. EX- tending from the opposite edge of plate 2 at the center thereof is a substantially cylindrical ear 4 having a rectangular opening 5 extending thercthrough. Fitted within this opening is a rectangular sleeve 6 having a cylindrical bore 7. A longitudinal slot 8 is formed along the center of one face of the sleeve and throughout the length thereof and opens into the bore 7. This sleeve fits snugly within the opening 5 and is designed to slide longitudinally therein. The sleeve is of the same length normally positioned with its ends flush with the ends of the ear 4.

Extending through the bore 7 and slidable longitudinally therein isa combined actuating and pivot pin or bolt 9'which projects beyond the ends of slcovefi and constitutes bearings for cars l0 edge of an upper plate or foot 12 of the conand 1] formed upon one 1 its wire in flange 13 extending downward from one edge thereof and is also provided with side flanges lat and said flanges bear close-against the sides and the flange 3 of plate 2 so as to,

close the space between the two plates 2. and 12 irrespective. of their relative positions. A spring catch 15 is carried by the late 12 and extends through flange 13 and is designed, when the plates 2 and 12 are swung together, to engage the notched flange 3 and lock the parts together. The upper member 16'of the steering pillar or shaft fastened to the plate 12 and carriesthe steer.

ing wheel 17. If desired, and in order to relieve the pivot pin of excessive transverse strain during the operation of steering the machine, interlocking projections 18 may be formed upon the inner or adjoining faces of plates 2 and 12 so that when said plates; are swung together these projections will engage and hold the two plates positively against independent rotation about the axis of the section 1. I

Each of the ears 10 and 11 has a rectangular socket 19 in its inner end which is normally out of register with the opening 5 and sleeve 6 as clearly indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3. l/Vhen, however, the plate 12 and section 16 are swung outwardly these I sockets will be moved into register with the opening" 5 so as to permit the sleeve 6 to be shifted longitudinally into either of the sockets and thus lock the plate 12 in raised position relatively to the plate 2. The up ward movement of plate 12 and sect-ion 16 can be stopped as soon as the sockets are brought into register with openings 5, by providing a stop pin 20 upon ear 4: and in the path of the plate 12 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. r

The ears 10 and 11 are both provided with sockets 21 and 22. respectively,- in their outer ends, the socket 21 being closed by means of a screw cap 23 while another screw cap 24 having a central opening 25 constitutes the closure for the socket 22. Lugs 26 and 27 extend radially from the pivot pin or bolt 9 and are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the length of.

sleeved It will be apparent, therefore, that the bolt 9 is capable of a sliding longitudinal movement in the direction of its length before one of the lugs is brought into contact with the sleeve. A threaded stem 28 projects from one end of the bolt 9 and the inner portion of this stem is angular as indicatcd at 29 and constitutes aseat or bearing for a disk 30 formed of fiber or other insulating material and having" rings 31 of conducting material secured to opposite Faces thereof. .The disk nd the two rings thereon constitute a circuit closer and a notch 32 is formed in the periphery thereof and is.

so proportioned as to slip 'over one of a pair of plugs 33 of insulating material. Arranged upon the inner or adjoining faces of these plugs are contacts 34 arranged in pairs, those of each pair being arranged in circuit with a battery 35 and a bell 36. The circuit closer isheld fixedly upon the angu: lar portion 29 of stem 28 by means ofa. knob 37 which is internall screw threaded and engages the stem. I desired, one or "more washers 38 may be interposed between the knob and the circuit closer so as to hold the head 39 of the knob at any desired distance from the circuit closer. A set screw 10 may be utilized forholding the knob against rotation relatively to the stem. The knob has' graduations extending therearoundwhich can be designated by numerals or any otherdesired characters and the outer face offthe head 39. is also preferably provided with graduations suitably indicated as by means of-.letters any one of which is designed to be'moved into register with a mark 41 on the outer face of the cap '24. When the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 1 the section 16 can be swung down-v ward into alinementwith the section 1 and 'as the axis of the two sections thus coincide it will be apparent that the machine can be properly, steered by manipulating the Wheel 17 in the usual manner. course serves to lock the two sections in this relation. When it is desired to leave the machine and to lock the parts so that it can not be properly steered the operator pulls The catch 15 of upward on catch 15 so as to release the plate 12 from plate 2 and then swings the section 16 upwardly until thiscrnovement 'is stopped by the pin 20. The sockets 19 will therefore be brought into register with the opening 5. The operator turns knob 37 until the proper: character or graduation upon head 39 registers with the mark 41. The notch 32 will then be positioned directly opposite plugs 33 as shown in Figs. 4 and '9. By pushing in-. wardly on the knob until a desired graduation is brought flush with the outer face'of cap 24 the circuit closer can be caused to assume a position between the plugs but spaced from all of the contacts 34. By then turning the knob the notch 32 can be removed from position between 'the plugs. The inward movement of the knob before mentioned reduces a correspondin movement of the'iiolt Qand the lug 27 wil therefore push thc sl'eeve 6 into socket 19in ear 10 and the two plates 2 and 12 will therefore be se-' cured ill-spaced relation as indicated in Fig. 2. When it is desired to swing the section 16 downwardinto normal positionit is first necesary to turn the knob 37 until the notch 32 registers with the plugs 33, this position being indicated by a redetermined graduatiop upon'the knob. he knob is then pulled outwardly so as to tease lug 26 to push -means mo vable'iwith" the-lock-for closing a determined nianipula tionof-the lock.

" 5. Thecolnbi-nation"\vitl1 a-relativcly fixed member and n "rela sleeve- Gout of the ear 10. When thelmob has been pulled outwardly a redetermined distance, indicated by one oi 'the graduations thereon, the sleeve will be entirely dis- 5 posed 'within ear. 4 whereupon plate 12 can e swung downward onto the plate '2' and .the parts locked togetherby means. ofcatch" 15. Obviously should the knob bejnianipulated by on.inexperienced person or a person I t-ivelymovable' member;, of a longitudinally movableipivot b'o'lt con meeting said unemberaand contractible means to be contracted by the movable membe'r to he combination with a relativelyfixed member and a relatively movable member; of a longitudinallymovable pivot bolt con nectingsaidmembeis, an angular contracti- -ble .sleeve' mounted upon and disposed to be actuatedfbyihe bolt to lock the members outfof alinem'ent, said sleeve being disposed lock an shiftingof the knob inwardly or outwardly will bring closer 31 against the contacts and complete the circuitthrough bell 36 which will thus be sounded and give 15 warning of the fact that the lock is being tampered with. Not only is it necessary" to 39 in order to preventsounding of the alarm but it is also'necessar to know the ,proper to act'uated'f'by the movable member, an" 30 graduation u on the arrel ortion of. the alarm, andmeanssliiftable with the bolt for 5 knob 37 as 0t erwise it. woul be difiicult to controlling the act-uationof the'ala'rm. '50 position thesleeve 6 as to entirely re; "Th 'p mhin n'vvith a'relatively fiiied; move it from the two sockets 19 and erm it, fi dy. ,1 open,

independent movement of: plate 12. hould- 2 the parts be locked in elevated position as *ojf; a'relat'i v y movable v ed-there y nd ei ht-sq, 90, indicated by, dotted lines in F1 .1 1'.' and, a, ca ,the'rc; l downward. pull beexertd, upon't wh e thiswould result in thewals'of sockets-19ft by H I bearing downward on the projecting-end of= nbrmally'fs 8, sleeve 6 and contZ-acting itsdthat'itswill -.';Ei.vot-'l o'lt opening, mid .a' 'thecap and .foot,"said tightly clamp on: he pin or, bol t;9and ab 'j olt, consgtiitmg means for "shifting the solutey -'prevent its longitud nal movei'sleeve'int itherjsoclr'etzi" w '18:Thefooinb'ilation'with'a; cap having an X menttwithin the sleeve.

Vhat is-claimed is; e 35 1. A steerin shaft or pillar for automobiles and the dike comprising a relatively fixed section, a relatively movable section hingeclly connected thereto, means for locking said section at an angle to.the relatively fixed section, and an alarm underthe control of said locking means. 2. A steering shaft or pillar for automo biles and the like comprising a relatively fixed section, arelative'ly movable section, means for locking said movable section at an angle to the relatively fixed section, an electrically o )erated alarm,and means carricd by said locking means for establishing a circuit through the alarm. 3. A steering shaft or pillar for automoeau t i i ia' h re mlfi- "t t e ten n across op j easem nt; the opening-and MVP ing sockets s'hiftable into register with the openinga pi o't -b'o'lt slidably mounted with in and connecting-the cap and foot, a sleeve upon tliebo'lt, means np'dn the holt for engaging and shifting the sleeve, and -'mcan s carried the bolt'for indicating therela tive position of the sleeve within the ca Thec ombination with a' cap ha-vii'lg an angular opening therein, a foot-exteiiding across opposite ends of the opening and having sockets shiftahle into register with the opening,a' pivot bolt slidably mounted with in and connecting the'cap and foot,'a sleeve thereoh, means upon the 'olt for engaging and shifting the sleeve, morn: carried by the bolt for indicating the re atlve position of' the sleeve within the cap. a circuit closer carrierlby the bolt, contacts in me path thereof, therewith a lock for securing said movable and an alarm in circuit 'lth said contacts,

55 member at an angle to the relatively fixed said circuit closer being; shlltable axially and member,.an alarm, and means for causing annularly relatively to the contacts.

' the alarm to be sounded during the improper 10. 'lhe'jcombinatiomwlth a cap havmfi an manipulation of the lock. angular opening" therein, a foot exten mg A steering shaft or pillarfor automoacross opposite ends of the opening and hav- 60 biles and the like comprising a relatively ing sockets shiftable Into register with the 1 fixed member, a relatively movable member opening, a pivot bolt slidably mounted withhingedly connected thereto and normally in and conn'ectmg the cap and foot, a sleeve alinm there with, means for locking said thereon, means upon the bolt fox-engaging movab e member ,at' an angle to the other and shifting the sleeve, means carrledby the '65 member, an electrically operated alarm, and bolt for indicating the relative position of I the sleeve within the cap, a circuit closer my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature revoluble and slidable with the bolt, contacts in the presence of two witnesses. projecting into the nth of the closer, said closer bemg notche to pass the contacts JOHN LSLEPICKA' 5 when brought to a predetermined position, \Vitnesses:

and an alarm in circuit with the contacts. C. A. MARSHALL,

v In testimony that I claim the foregoing as L. E. SINGER. 

